Newcastle United are showing a real willingness to tap into the Ligue 1 market under Paul Mitchell.
The Newcastle United sporting director knows that the club can find more value there, which is vital in the era of PSR. At a time when Newcastle have raised season ticket prices and used PSR as an excuse, it would appear that every penny counts.
The Magpies almost utilised Paul Mitchell’s Ligue 1 knowledge in January. Newcastle nearly signed Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens, only for the young defender to join Manchester City.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are interested in Maghnes Akliouche. The Monaco attacker is an exciting option ahead of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United watching ‘special’ midfielder
But he is not the only Monaco player who Newcastle United have got their eye on.
That is according to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, who has told Geordie Boot Boys that the Magpies are one of multiple clubs who have been watching Lamine Camara.
Interestingly, Newcastle scouts recently attended Benfica vs Monaco in the Champions League – a game that Camara was involved in.
He is a 21-year-old central midfielder who is garnering a lot of attention, earning comparisons to two-time Premier League winner N’Golo Kante.
“Lamine Camara is really highly rated,” Bailey said.
“He is potentially a very special player. Paul Mitchell knows all about him from his days in France, with Camara coming through the Generation Foot academy.
“He’s a fabulous player who everyone in Europe is aware of, including Newcastle United.
“Generational talent is an overused phrase, but he could be just that – perhaps Senegal’s best prospect since Sadio Mane. He’s been compared to N’Golo Kante as someone who can do everything in midfield.”
Why Newcastle are looking at Lamine Camara despite boasting Bruno Guimaraes
While Newcastle are looking at Camara, that does not mean they are actively trying to sign him.
As it stands, the Magpies do not need to sign a centre-midfielder. They already have Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff.
Eddie Howe is well-stocked in that position, but that is not to say Newcastle are not aware of players they could sign if they were to lose one of their stars.
“It’s not a case of Newcastle looking actively for a Bruno Guimaraes replacement, however,” Bailey added.
“But they will do work on potential replacements, as they would with any position.”
However, Camara could end up being a player who passes the Magpies by. While Newcastle watch from afar, Geordie Boot Boys have been told that the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also keeping an eye on the Senegalese talent.
Camara has no shortage of elite suitors, which is a testament to his ability. That is why he would be an outstanding signing for Newcastle United – but only if Eddie Howe was suddenly in need of midfield reinforcements.
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